North Carolina governor commutes death sentences of 15 inmates

LAUREN TAYLOR: North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper commuted the death sentences of 15 men on his final day in office. All fifteen will still serve life sentences without the possibility of parole.

The commutations reduce the state’s death row, which has 121 others on it, by more than ten percent.

Cooper is leaving office after eight years due to term limits. Fellow Democrat Josh Stein, currently the state attorney general, will assume the office on New Year’s Day.

Cooper’s office said they reviewed petitions for clemency from 89 different people on death row before choosing to act on the fifteen cases.

In a press release, Cooper said, “These reviews are among the most difficult decisions a Governor can make and the death penalty is the most severe sentence that the state can impose. After thorough review, reflection, and prayer, I concluded that the death sentence imposed on these 15 people should be commuted, while ensuring they will spend the rest of their lives in prison.”

It’s a smaller set of commutations than President Joe Biden issued earlier this month for federal death row inmates. The president commuted the sentences of 37 of the 40 men on death row to life sentences without the possibility of parole.

It’s a move that received major criticism from Republicans, with President-elect Donald Trump saying he thought the move made no sense.

Although North Carolina allows the death penalty, the state has not executed anyone since 2006 as lawsuits work their way through the legal system.

Cooper also issued two other commutations for people convicted of crimes that did not come with a death sentence, as well as two pardons for people who have already served their sentences.

For Straight Arrow News, I’m Lauren Taylor.

And for all the latest updates on this and other top stories, download the Straight Arrow News app or visit SAN.com.